Second Life has many women singers, and increasingly so. But then there's Gina Stella. I have known her for a long time, not as a friend so to speak, but I have appreciated her talent and have watched her remain a steady force within the virtual world of music. She was instrumental in organizing the SL Jams, and she is a regular participant. She is a singer and a musician; her voice is passionate and strong, the music flows from her and she breathes new life in old covers. She just attended the Twin Cities Jam, and now you can read in the SL Live Music Jam Facebook page (by her own admission) that she's ready for another.

I am not a musician, but my older daughter is, and I appreciate all that goes into practice and touring. There is also something extra - the musician that not only loves her/his music, but celebrates the music with all around them, who seeks out that connection whenever, wherever. I think Gina's got that something extra. I have seen it in my daughter, and the crowd's response to her. Even her friends see her differently in that moment. I see that in Gina, like a firefly, that lights up the room instantly. Maybe that is a silly metaphor. In that moment, they are the pulse, spirit, light, beat, whatever you want to call that special focal point to which we are drawn. It is why we go to venues, concerts, jams - and even within virtual worlds, because we know one cannot contain such a gift. There are no borders between SL and RL, and music proves that.

I dedicate this week's Slow Bake show to Gina, for her continual commitment to the SL music scene, and for being a really, really beautiful person! or avatar! All the same.

I first met her in 2009, and she played at a club I owned back then. Here's a small collage I produced at that time, when I was first learning to record machinima. It is amazing how many years I have enjoyed Gina's talent! This October, I turn a decade old, and SL Music has been a big part of those years. That is why I do this show, to honor the wonderful musicians like Gina Stella who have made a difference in all our lives.

One of my favorite songs by Gina is her cover of Damien Rice's 9 Crimes. Rice is on tour, with his next stop Germany. She recorded it for YouTube in 2010. I thought it was perfect timing to dig up the link to her version. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z21N0Dx4kQ

Come to the Island for Slow Bake, Sundays

SLOW BAKE radio with DJ Sonicity & Host Belinda

features the music of SL performers. Catch us most Sundays (12-2pm SLT)

Sunday, September 18, 2016

Today is the last day of the 'Twin Cities Jam 2016'. If you couldn't make it there in the real, then you can check out the Facebook page (of the same name), browse through the cool pics and video snips of your fav singers and musicians, like The Follow, for example, and just about everybody I play on my Sunday show, Slow Bake, Sundays noon to 2pm SLT.

Or feel the Minneapolis vibes online
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tiratardi/147/80/3519
at The Library with its inworld streaming,

Like many of you, I would love to be there. For me, if you have been following my blog, I just moved from the Midwest to North Cali. Perfect timing, right?

----SLOW BAKE radio with DJ Sonicity & Host Belindafeatures the music of SL performers. Catch us most Sundays (12-2pm SLT)Streamed on SL Live Radiohttp://radiosllive.blogspot.com/Join us @ our new location on ourIslandhttp://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Island%20of%20Fame/213/197Listen anywhere, and set your land in-world, http://black.neostreams.info:8167/

Sunday, September 11, 2016

The Party has moved to the Island of Fame. Welcome to our island. Bel is your host, and Sonicity is your DJ for another edition of Slow Bake. We are shaking up things and doing the show on the beach today (maybe forever, we will see it goes).

So today, you get the great SL music, as always, and a large dose of Sun and Sand, too!

Join us at the Island of Fame, and we'll put a spin on your Sunday with Slow Bake!

Slow Bake radiofeatures the music of SL performers.Hosted by Sonicity Fitzroy &Belinda Barnes,most Sundays (12-2pm SLT)Streamed on SL Live Radiohttp://radiosllive.blogspot.com/Join us @, http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Island%20of%20Fame/213/197Listen anywhere, and set your land in-world, http://black.neostreams.info:8167/

...and in 2016, AcousticEnergy Nitely (James Olmos, RL) performs in SL the night before Labor Day, celebrated in the U.S. on the first Monday in September.

Be sure to come for this epic show - along with history makers Walmart and Savannah Coronet @ The Only Venue, http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sylvhara/197/39/22

In honor of this historical occasion, Slow Bake's Sonicity Fitzroy will be featuring music from AcousticEnergy Nitely Sunday Noon to 2PM SLT. Listen to an extra serving of AE, alongside other SL singers and musicians!